Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in the district of Kabarole have teamed up to demand the members of parliament and district leaders to embark on advocating for increased funding for the HIV/AIDS.
This follows the persistent high prevalence rate of HIV for the past ten years thus causing worry among the leaders and partners. The prevalence for Kabarole stands at11.3% higher than the national level which stands at 7.3 percent.
The resolution was reached at during a Performance Review Meeting for KNASO & KDFPHAN Consortium attended by NGOs dealing in the areas of fighting HIV AIDS and awareness held in the RDCs boardroom Boma in Fort Portal on Thursday 17th September,2015.
Mr.Nyakana Patrick the chairman of the consortium said they have to petition MPs to advocate for increased funding for HIV because Kabarole district should be treated special as the high prevalence rate continues to cause havoc.
He said, “The donor envelop is dwindling and others have withdrawn funding. Unless NGOs task MPs and district leaders to advocate and lobby for increased HIV funding, the disease will continue to kill many people in Kabarole and the region at large like flies”.
Andrew Mugisa the coordinator KNASO observed the need for the district and sub counties to consider HIV and allocate funding for the fighting against the scourge that is reportedly on the rise.
Steven Ainganiza the Director PLANE advised the CSOs to intensify the sensitization campaigns in both primary, secondary and tertiary institutions because these categories of people still lack information about HIV/AIDS and leave recklessly.
Catherine Kemigabo District Health Educator and HIV AIDS District focal person asked the CSOs to embark on a research focusing on the factors contributing to the increase of HIV in the district. She said, “The recent district findings indicated that West division in Fort Portal municipality is leading in HIV followed by Hakibaale and Buheesi sub counties but factors were not known”.
Kemigabo said, “It also shows persistent more HIV positive pregnant mothers and teenage pregnancies in Hakibaale Sub County. I’m calling for more special attention and outreach programs in the sub county. Many school going girls are engaged in sex work in Kijura town council selling their bodies to tea workers at a tune of shs20, 000.This has contributed to the high HIV prevalence”.
Kemigabo asked the consortium to come up with a comprehensive report on HIV/AIDS that will be integrated in the district strategic plan.
